Downstairs, Apple Bloom consumed her meal in a calm, relaxed manner. She seemed lost in thought - a fact noted by her family.
"You all right, youngin," Granny asked, "Ya usually eat like a wolf on the hunt."
"Yeah. Just tryin' to think what to do with myself."
"Are ya bored?"
"Nah. It's just...I dunno. I feel like situations like this show us what the world's really like, ya know?"
"Situations like what?"
"Bein' stuck inside, lookin' for ways to kill time. I wonder what it'd be like if it kept goin' every day."
"My old mind ain't what it used to be, but it sounds to me like you're talkin' about the apocalypse."
"Maybe..."
"Tell me. child - are ya lonely?"
"A little. I'm sorry..."
"It ain't your fault. I know we don't have much time for ya outside the farm. Talkin' to your friends on that there internet ain't the same as seein' 'em outside. The head can go to some pretty deep places when you're left alone."
"I know. I just wish I knew what to do about it."
"Ya gotta let it out some way. Ya leave it alone to fester, it'll eat ya alive."
"Not gonna lie: sounds pretty metal."
"Now this is serious, young lady. Whenever somethin's on your mind, you tell us, understand? Keepin' your head straight ain't no joke."
"I gotcha, granny. I will."
"Why don't you take Applejack her food? I'm sure she'll be glad to see a familiar face."
Apple Bloom cleaned her dish in compliance with her grandmother's request. Once the filly was out of earshot, the elder mare conversed with her grandson.
"How'd you know what she was thinkin'?"
"When's the last time you seen me have a friend over, Mac? All them old goats are long gone."
"There ain't many of ya left, huh?"
"I'm the last one."
"Are ya scared?"
"When my time comes, it comes. I've lived a long life: carried a lot of burdens. Losin' your ma and pa was the worst. Truth is, y'all are all Apple Bloom's got. I'm countin' on you to take care of her when I'm gone."
"Don't count yourself out yet. Ya've still got some fight left in ya."
"Goddamn right! I ain't ready to leave just yet. Gotta make sure you knuckleheads don't run my business into the ground!"
Upstairs, Apple Bloom found her sister surrounded by mountains of tissue. Her nose was reder than a bloody beet left in the oven a few minutes too long.
"You look like Rudolph." the filly teased.
"Shush, you. You're one to talk, lookin' like jailbait for horny old pervs."
"Least I'd get reward money from the cops."
Applejack rolled back her eyes, too worn out to think of a comeback.
"Begh."
"I brought you some soup. It's tomato - your favorite."
The child handed her sister the bowl, her goofy expression replaced by heartfelt concern.
"Sorry you feel so bad. I wish there was somethin' I could do."
"You've done plenty. I'm takin' medicine for it now. I'll be right as rain before ya know it."
"Heh. Irony."
"I heard you guys downstairs. You know you can come to me when you're feelin' blue, right?"
"I know...I guess...I just don't want to drag others into my problems."
"People don't just feel that way for no reason. World's a hard place to live. That's why we got each other."
"Ya think?"
"Without you, Mac, and Granny, I woulda done lost my mind ages ago. Y'all keep me sane when I'm feel like there ain't no reason to try."
"I feel the same."
"I love ya, sis. Nothin' in the world's ever gonna change that."
Apple Bloom wrapped her sister in a crushing embrace.
"Oof! Careful. Right now these old bones feel like Granny."
"Sorry."
Applejack smiled at her sibling, tilting he head to lamp desk next to them.
"Check inside. I got somethin' for ya."
Apple Bloom obliged, opening the top drawer. She found a notebook decorated with a butterfly graphic.
"Somethin' Granny got me for school a few years ago. Never ended up usin' it."
"A notebook?"
"Figured you'd put it to better use. I know how much you love that nonsense with your video games and music and shit."
Apple Bloom gazed starry-eyed into the blank pages of her new outlet.
"I want you to write in that when somethin' comes to mind."
"I have an idea. I'll be back in a minute."
The filly jogged back to her room, reappearing on-camera for her friends.
"Oh, no," Scootaloo joked, "It's the creature from the black lagoon!"
"Hey, guys. I'm gonna get off for a bit and spend some time with Applejack. I'll be back later."
"Leave Winona on."
"Why?"
"Dogs have hypnotic powers. True fact."
"Whatever you say, Gorge Washingbitch."
Scootaloo smirked.
"Good one."
"I learned from the best."
"Check your WoW account when you get back. Left a little surprise for ya."
"What did you do?"
"You'll see."
"Whatever. Later, butt-munches."
"10-4, Slutty McSlutterson."
Sweetie snickered. Somewhere, in a place no one would ever suspect, she kept an exact record of Rarity's body count. Winona jumped on Apple Bloom's chair, commanding her friends to speak in foal talk.
"Must. Obey. Dog!" Scootaloo cracked. Sweetie snorted in hysterical laughter akin to Pinkie Pie.